Michael Daly, or 'Mickey Twin' as he was more affectionately known, of Callinafercy, Milltown, died at home surrounded by his family and friends on the evening of Saturday the 23rd of February. Mickey was born to James and Bridie Daly of Annagh, Castlemaine on the 23rd May 1942. He was a half-twin to his brother Jimmy and they shared a very close bond.

Mickey grew up on the family farm in the 1940s and '50s with his brothers and sisters where he developed his love of the land. He attended Castlemaine primary school, Milltown Monastery and later the Vocational School, Killorglin. The
'terrible twins' (as they were called) transport to school in those days were bicycles and the duo were a familiar sight on the Castlemaine to Killorglin road where they would often pass by the Langford girls going in the opposite direction to Milltown Presentation school.

They began to move in the same direction when Margaret Langford became Mrs. Mickey Daly on the 27th of June 1970 in Milltown Church with Jimmy at Mickey's side, always his best man. Mickey and Margaret set
up home in Callinafercy where they made a living from the land. He was a great worker, had tireless energy when it came to farming and he gave his all to it, tending to his stock with care.

Over the years he was a common sight on the local roads in his Jeep with his dog alongside him and he would stop to chat with his many friends around the Cliff and further afield. Out- side of farming he had a keen interest in current
affairs, all sport - particularly Kerry GAA - and horse racing. He played on the Milltown/Castlemaine senior team from 1959 to 1965 and was a member of the Milltown Mart Committee for many years. Both organisations along with neighbours and friends were represented in his guard of honour.

Having enjoyed a fulfilling life with a loving family and friends, Mickey was ready to undertake his next journey. In his last hours he listed out some of his dear friends who had passed away recently and whom he was looking forward to meeting again along with his brother John who died tragically with wife Mary and son Shane in 2002.

He was a character and to his last day he remained a true farmer, ordering his friend Jennings to go and check the calves and report back to him as to how they were looking. His loyal companion Bingo the dog even had a part to play at
this point as he was cleaned up for the occasion so that his master could see him for one last time.

At Mickey's Requiem Mass, Father Gerard O'Leary summed him up well with witty and insightful words such as the comment that the bloodline was safe when his grandsons Cathal and Eoghan would not let him keep the cow that was to
be placed on grandad's coffin. At the start of the Mass Cathal and Eoghan carried symbols of Mickey to be placed on the coffin including his cap and the Farmers' Journal.

In his later years his grandchildren were a source of great pride and joy. Lauren (2010) and Emily in 2011 arrived and both now will tell you that "grandad is up in the sky with Holy God."

Removal took place on the 25th of February from Flynn's Funeral Home Castlemaine with Requiem Mass at the Sacred Heart Church Milltown on the 26th of February, which happened to be his daughter Mary's birthday. He was
laid to rest in Milltown Cemetery where he has a great view of his beloved Callinafercy.

Mickey is survived by his wife Margaret, son Gene, daughters Paula, Mary and Rosanne, daughter-in-law Fiona, sons-in-law Pat, John and Mark, grandchildren Cathal, Eoghan, Lauren and Emily, twin brother Jimmy, brother Eugie, sisters Peggy and Mary.

May he rest in peace.


Courtesy of The Kerry's Eye. Tweet

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